HOW TO RESURRECT CHIVALRY—PART FOUR, ROMANCE IN CRESCENDO

So now you have a true relationship. Girl, you’ve WON! You got your guy. He passed the test and at least 80% of your check-list and vision-board items are fulfilled. And guy, congratulations. You now have a good woman, and don’t have to worry about getting a date for next weekend.

What just happened? You stopped playing the game. Chivalry isn’t just for romantic warriors—it’s a lifelong process. You surprise your partner with flowers or other surprises at the front door. You plan interesting dates weeks in advance. You never stop opening doors, either literally or figuratively. Romance must be in crescendo!

Every step you take in a relationship is a step toward further bliss or a downward spiral. Love is a living, breathing thing. It needs to be nurtured. Here are seven ideas to consider once you have a developed a flourishing relationship:

Whether you have kids or not, at least one night a week must be “your” night.

Consider in each New Year’s goals to pursue a bucket-list item together

Always catch your partner doing something good.

Never stop being playful. Be hard to get even when you’re 100% “got.”

Never take anything for granted. Play truth or dare if you need to, but always learn something new about your partner every once in a while.

Every morning, kiss your partner and wish him or her a beautiful day.

Treat every day together as if it were a “date.” If you don’t ever stop dating, then you’ll never stop romancing in crescendo.

At the end of each day, when you and your partner’s head hit the pillow, whisper in his or her ear, “I had a wonderful date tonight with you.”

I welcome more ideas if you want to volunteer them. The key to dating in crescendo is to live your lives in crescendo.